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Learning To Be Bold
Amethyst, The Shallows follows six children living in a beach town devastated by a sickness who end up on an adventure filled with magic and self-discovery. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Amethyst, The Shallows explores the challenge of what it takes to re-build confidence and trust following a long period of isolation and trauma. The six kids in this story are recovering from a terrifying pandemic, facing the challenge in wildly creative and vastly different ways. My inspiration came from marveling at the many courageous ways kids rebound from crisis.
The characters in this book cope with the wounds of isolation by learning to be bold again, relying on unique gifts and talents to help them be brave. Pragmatic Lorelei finds inspiration in her love of sea creatures. Fierce and gentle Condi relaxes into the meditative flow of surfing. Isaac is led into a mysterious realm by his love of music. Casey solves terrifying problems by using logic. Sweet Tad monitors his emotions through color. Fearless Kait presses on, following her heart.
The transformative coming-of-age journey is both terrifying and wondrous. All the kids in Amethyst, The Shallows embrace the challenge, guided by a profound and powerful ocean magic that lives in the deep.
A lot of time was spent crafting the character traits in this novel. What was the most important factor for you to get right in your characters?
I found writing multiple POV to be a joy—and an incredible challenge! To differentiate the characters, it was necessary to “live” with each one, seeking to understand what makes them special and unique, not only in voice and mannerisms, but in the way they view the world. At the same time, I sought to discover the qualities in each one that might spark growth and change. As it turns out, my characters have an important quality in common that inevitably leads to change. They are curious, a beautiful quality that expresses itself in strange and fascinating ways. Curiosity gets each character into trouble (and out of it), all the while helping them forge bonds of friendship and community, a major theme of the book.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Amethyst, The Shallows explores several themes that are important to me. One of them is the bond of unlikely friendships. I believe it’s a life-enhancing skill to seek connection with people who appear to be different than you, seeking to understand how you may be the same. I also wanted to explore the universal theme of healing, and the many ways it manifests after crisis. Whether it is through music, surfing, the love of the ocean and its creatures, expressing emotions through art and color or by reading poetry and telling stories, there is a wealth of everyday magic that inspires healing.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’m excited to be hard at work on the third book of The Yellow Cottage Stories, titled Indigo, The Deep. It is a continuation of the adventures of the kids in The Aquamarine Surfboard and Amethyst, The Shallows.
The story takes place a year later, during the mercurial autumn equinox, when the moon shifts and the tides change in mysterious ways. After all, aquamarine and amethyst are the colors of the shallows…indigo is the color of the deep.
Look for Indigo, The Deep in 2025!
Author links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
In the aftermath of a devastating sickness that shatters their close-knit beach town, six lonely kids are drawn together during the unpredictable autumn equinox. Among them are fourteen-year-old Lorelei, who yearns to be an oceanographer, and her peculiar younger brother, Tad, who possesses an otherworldly curiosity.
When Lorelei has a strange and almost deadly encounter in a sea cave, her loyal boyfriend, Casey, cannot reconcile her fantastical experience with the rational world. Condi, Lorelei’s best friend, understands ocean magic but isn’t free to share what she knows. Kait, a girl from Ireland, regrets her impulsive move to America-all because of an odd occurrence involving her deceased boyfriend’s lost surfboard. When tides turn and the moon shifts, Isaac, the new kid in town who despises the ocean, is forced to face the truth-a profound and powerful magic lives in the deep.
Guided by a wise surf master, mystical old women known as the Beachlings, and an open-hearted grandmother, six kids embark on transformative adventures that challenge their beliefs about possibilities and the intense nature of love.
Amethyst, The Shallows
Amethyst, The Shallows unfolds within a quaint seaside village, still grappling with the lingering effects of a cryptic ailment that claimed numerous lives and fragmented the once cohesive community. Told through the perspectives of various residents, the book offers an intimate glimpse into each character’s thoughts and circumstances, fostering a deeper connection with them. Despite being targeted toward middle schoolers, the story captivates with its enchanting allure, maintaining a steady grip on the reader’s attention. As the narrative progresses, the characters undergo realistic evolution and maturation, interspersed with insightful reflections that resonate with the audience.
This novel delves into the multifaceted nature of love and interpersonal relationships within the small coastal town. Post-epidemic life has been arduous for the inhabitants, and the familiar backdrop of a post-Covid world enhances the relatability of their daily struggles. While the story presents itself as a coming-of-age tale, it distinguishes itself through a diverse cast of characters. Kellye Abernathy skillfully introduces a neurodivergent character, Lorelai’s younger brother Tad, portraying him as a cherished and integrated member of the community rather than defining him solely by his condition. Additionally, the narrative doesn’t shy away from addressing mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. The sea and its creatures are instrumental in the emotional and mental development of the characters, imbuing the story with a fable-like essence, particularly through transformative underwater encounters. Guided by a wise octopus and the enigmatic Beachlings, six children unite in a quest for comfort and understanding.
Amethyst, The Shallows’ sensitive and potent prose stirs the reader, leaving a lasting impression. Although this novel is the second installment in a series, it stands strong independently, welcoming newcomers and returning readers alike.
Pages: 271 | ASIN : B0CP713BT8
LITERARY TITAN 